DeMelo's been quietly competent since he got here...and he is not that guy this season. I don't know what's up with him, but something is definitely up.
Player Discussion: Winnipeg Jets Defense
- Thread starter voyageur
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Crocket
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- Jul 14, 2013
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I think we need a longer look at Coghlan. He's a really talented player. He has more skill than DeMelo
Upperdeckjet
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- Dec 14, 2011
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It would be my preference that we not commit to Pionk to the 4-5 year contract that he will likely receive this summer. He looked great rushing the puck the first 20 games or so, but I really have my doubts that's the player he can be on a consistent basis.
voyageur
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- Jul 10, 2011
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De Melo is the glue guy for the PK on defense. You don't know how valuable he is until he goes down.
If Coghlan gets in it is to replace Miller. Someone who could take PK minutes from Pionk. to keep him as fresh as Morrissey would probably help to maintain more offense from the defense. Miller is not that guy so far. Coghlan I don't know what he is capable of. Probably lose physicality if you exchage him for MIller. I'm mildly optimistic that Fleury-Melo, Samberg-Pionk could be effective PK pairings. Probably room to add here.
Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater and mess with the NHL's 20th best penalty kill!
The Jets' PK is actually worse than it looks, but TGI Hellebuyck...
i haven't singled out fleury hard enough to have a good gage. i'll say I did like coghlans game vs vegas a while back.
since the team was in the mood for scratching miller in order for stanley-heinola, I think they could've given a pairing composed of the better of heinola or stanley, and coghlan a look.
Last edited:
- Dec 29, 2016
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Probably more to do with JoMo's shift to offense over defense -
I get that 44 has been doing the offense thing for awhile now - but he's expending most of his energy in the Ozone these days and you'd have to think that would have some impact on his partner -
Not complaining - JoMo is not the problem. But when you ask a dman to contribute offensively as much as the Jets have with him., you'd think they might need a more robust guy to line up with him. Hopefully someday we can insert a more physical LHD that leans toward top level defense, on our top pair.
To my eyes it just looks like DeMelo is fumbling the puck, getting walked, losing battles, making bad decisions - all way more than normal. Is Morrissey hanging him out to dry - and if so, is that all it is?
voyageur
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Last time I checked they were 16th, so I think a one game variance is good for 5 places in the mediocre range. Maybe 3 steps backwards? Sure looks worse without their best PKer out there. You can build a strong PK off Lowry and Samberg, but there's probably other elements needed for more success.Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater and mess with the NHL's 20th best penalty kill!
The Jets' PK is actually worse than it looks, but TGI Hellebuyck...
- Dec 29, 2016
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Yes, all those things - which would come with a dman that is under more pressure.
There might be other factors impacting Demelo's game - but I've noticed that JoMo is almost pure offense now - he's involved in most offensive plays and that has to impact his ability to defend (energy levels).
voyageur
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I think there is a structure that Arniel and Chynoweth have brought that lets the best skaters on defense be more aggessive and that kind of shows up in some of the NHL Edge stats for distance travelled. De Melo is probably the slowest skater after Stanley on the defense. You can only take so many shots at you before it takes its toll on your skating. De Melo isn't going to get quicker with age, but he's still a smart player and you can cover up some of the speed bumps with good positioning. If the Jets are structured at forward they should limit rush chances, which simplifies the game for the d-men.
After paying 6 million for Schmidt to apprentice d-men on a 3rd pair I don't think that will be an issue with De Melo, but his top pairing days and bigger minutes may get more limited if the Jets want to be quicker on defense.
- Dec 29, 2016
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I agree - the better players are getting more offensive leash - they are more aggressive - on offense.
Demelo has always been a stay at home type that would support a partner that likes to add some offense - but it's at a point where JoMo is spending a lot of his time playing very aggressive offense - that has to impact his partner and to an extent, expose his weaknesses - and as you stated, skating.
I'd like to see the Jets try and acquire Byram from Buffalo. What a smooth fast skater, and very young. I think he'll be a big star in the NHL, and I understand Buffalo is taking calls in him. Considering Buffalo gave away Eichle, Reinhart and others, be a really good idea, and see if they are still in a generous mood.
